Share This Story!

Pacers' Lance Stephenson lets play do the talking

Not two months after Lance Stephenson did a very Lance Stephenson thing – and not 24 hours after he added another for good measure – the Pacers guard let his play (and only his play) do the talking against the Heat.

First it was the stare. Then the sparring. Then, mercifully, the basketball.

Not two months after Lance Stephenson did a very Lance Stephenson thing – and not 24 hours after he added another for good measure – the Pacers' fourth-year guard tactfully, and somewhat uncharacteristically, let his play (and only his play) do the talking Sunday afternoon at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

And it wasn't just the stat line – 17 points, eight assists and four rebounds – but the manner in which the tallies were achieved. Because that spoke volumes to the electric yet erratic guard's growth, growth not solely over the course of his career but of this season alone.

Because it wasn't that long ago that Lance Stephenson let his overzealous in-game gallivanting get the best of him. And, with the Miami Heat in town, a team proven to provoke the worst of him in recent years, no one – including Lance Stephenson – could predict what the first game of these Eastern Conference finals would bring.

You remember three years ago: Stephenson's choke sign on LeBron James while he watched from the bench?

You remember the last time these teams played on this court, in late March: Stephenson staring down Dwyane Wade after an emphatic finish-and-foul, his gaze earning him a costly ejection?

You remember what he said before this whole series got started: Noting how Wade's knee tends to flare up after lots of running, and how he'd prefer the Pacers to run plays to incite precisely that?

Game 4 in Miami: Heat 102, Pacers 90 -- Indiana forward David West (21) scrambles for a loose ball against Miami forward Rashard Lewis (9) and LeBron James (6) during the second half. (Photo: Robert Mayer, USA TODAY Sports)

Game 3 in Miami: Heat 99, Pacers 87 -- The Miami bench and fans rise to their feet as Ray Allen (34) knocks down a clutch three-pointer during the Heat's decisive late run. (Photo: Robert Mayer, USA TODAY Sports)

Like this topic? You may also like these photo galleries:

"Under control" being the operative phrase there. The Bad Lance vs. Good Lance battle is far from over, but as this playoff push inches further and further, the Pacers will take every victory they can get.

"He's definitely been able to control (his emotions)," Paul George said. "And that's as much as I can say on that. He's learned to be a professional. He's just an emotional person.

"That's just what we need though. We need a guy with that energy, that toughness. It gets out of hand sometimes but we can live with it – most of it – and I thought he did a great job tonight of just staying poised and keeping himself within game."

Sunday marked the second consecutive showcase for Stephenson, who going back to Thursday's series-clinching win in Washington now has 34 points, 16 assists and nine rebounds in two straight playoff games. Proved yet again Sunday: When it's just basketball, Stephenson can be pretty good.

They are precisely the sorts of performances the Pacers will need if they are to finally topple Miami

As so often noted, the Pacers aren't the Pacers without Stephenson being Stephenson. More of the Good Stephenson certainly helps.

His play was never more vital than in Game 1, when he went toe-to-toe with a suddenly-resurgent Wade. The book on Miami in the Big Three Era ran like so: When Wade, who has battled nagging knee injuries in recent years, is healthy, and effective, the Heat are at their best. They have two championships to show for it.

Wade was at his best Sunday, scoring 27 points to pair with James' 25. Miami lost by 11.

What gives?

Stephenson's work at the other end was the difference, particularly amidst a crucial two-minute spurt in the second quarter in which he tallied three jumpshots, a layup and a steal. He finished the quarter with ten points (to Wade's nine) and proved more than up to the challenge in combating the Heat's All-Star shooting guard.

And, most vital for Stephenson, he proved he can keep his emotions out of it for a change.